Welcome to the Leisure Family History Blog. Here we welcome anyone interested in genealogy and particularly those researching the Leisure line. Our lines descend from Joseph and Rachel (Ryan) Leisure, many of whom eventually settled in Rush, Grant, Henry, and Madison counties, Indiana.

Monday, November 12, 2012

More About Rachel (Leisure) Pierce

In my previous post for a Surname Saturday , I raised some questions about Rachel (Leisure) Pierce. Since my journey to Garrard County, Kentucky, I've learned a bit more and am happy to share.

What I know about Rachel Leisure:

Rachel Leasure married Alfred Pierce in Garrard County, Kentucky on 12 Feb 1824.[i]

Rachel Pearce is named as daughter and heir in Joseph Lasure will written Oct 1835 and probated in July Court 1838.[ii]

Rachael Pearce is found in the 1850 census in the 1st division in Garrard County, Kentucky. She is listed as age 41 with $40 value of real estate. With her are most probably her children; Will H age 24, Almira J age 22, and Amanda G age 16. There is no indication of marital status but most likely Alfred died sometime after 1834 and before 1838.[iii]

R. R. Pierce is found in the 1860 census in the Lancaster post office area, Garrard County, Kentucky. She is listed as age 50. She is living in the David Baker household. (“Mandy” aka Amanda Pearce married David Baker 21 Apr 1851 in Garrard County according to Family Search database Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979, Index; Indexing project MO1079-7; source film 183256; reference 1040 p55).[iv]

Rachel R Pierce is found in the 1870 census in Lancaster District No. 3, Garrard County, Kentucky. She is listed as age 58 with $325 value of real estate. With her is the Benjamin Waldrige family. (Almira Jane Pearce married Benjamin Worlledge [sic] 15 Oct 1857 in Garrard County according to Family Search database Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979, Index; Indexing project M01079-9; source film 183256; reference V7 p259.).[v]

Rachael Pearce is found in the 1880 census in Brandy Springs Precinct #1, Garrard County, Kentucky. She is listed as age 75, living alone.[vi]

Based on the ages listed in the census records Rachel was
born between 1805 and 1812. Because of the age of her father and probable age
of her mother, Rachel, I’m inclined to believe the earlier dates. But then
again, Rachel is listed in all the census records as being born in Kentucky. If
that is true, then the 1809-1812 dates are more likely as one of her brothers
was married in Virginia in the 1804 which places the family still in Virginia
at that time and the first records for Joseph in Garrard County is the 1810
census.

I haven’t found a death record for Rachel yet but at least I
know she died after 1880.

[ii] Garrard
County, KY Will book 1, #391. “Item, at the death of myself and wife
[Elizabeth], I give and bequeath my land on which I now live to my daughter,
Rachel Pearce, to her own proper use and behold forever.”